Operating mechanism for sliding window and door sashes

ABSTRACT

An operating mechanism for sliding a sash of a window or door. The mechanism includes an open spiral having a hollow, longitudinally extending center; rotator for rotating the open spiral around its center; and coupling element for coupling the open spiral to a window or door sash. A preferred window made with the operating mechanism of the invention includes extruded polymeric window jambs housing two open spirals on opposed lateral sides of a sash. The preferred window includes both a hand crank and an electric motor connected by a series of gears and a rod to the open spirals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an operating mechanism for a slidably mounteddoor or window, and more particularly to an operating mechanism that canbe used to facilitate opening and closing such a slidably mounted dooror window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Slidably mounted building products, such as sliding windows, single hungand double hung windows and sliding doors, are well known in the newconstruction and remodeling industry. These products are typicallyoperated by a user exerting a sliding-type force on the movable sash inorder to open or close the same. As will be appreciated, the amount offorce that needs to be exerted can at times be substantial, and thusphysically handicapped persons or those persons with inadequate strengthmay not be able to operate them.

Furthermore, with the advent of so-called "smart homes" it is desired tobe able to control electronically or by computer the opening and closingof windows and doors, without the need for a person to be present toopen and close the same. Currently existing windows and doors withsliding sashes would be extremely difficult to convert to automaticoperation.

In the first half of the 20th century, several patents were issued whichdisclosed crank type window operating apparatus for slidably mountedwindows. For example, Lovell U.S. Pat. No. 1,152,425 shows a double hungwindow which can be moved up and down by use of a hand crank. The handcrank turns a bevel gear connected to a left-hand rod and a right-handrod, the rods turning another bevel gear which in turn rotates alongitudinally disposed screw mounted in each of the vertical windowframe members. A movable nut is threadably mounted on each screw and isalso secured to the window sash. Rotation of the screws causes verticalmovement of the movable nuts, which in turn lowers or lifts the windowsash in the window frame. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,571,819; 1,966,815;2,545,449; 2,913,920; and 3,022,065.

Although this prior art has been known for many years, there are todayvirtually no commercially available slidably mounted doors and windowswhich are operated by hand crank or motor driven mechanisms. There is,therefore, a need for a modern operating mechanism for slidably mountedbuilding products that is inexpensive as well as easy to use. Themechanism must be useful for windows and doors having wood, metal orpolymeric frames and must be reliable and easy to install in both newand existing homes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objectives of the invention are accomplished by providinga novel operating mechanism for sliding sash windows and doors. Theoperating mechanism includes at least one open spiral having an opencenter or center area, rotator means for rotating the open spiral aroundits center, and coupling means for coupling the open spiral to a sash.The operating mechanism is suitable for use with both single hung anddouble hung windows having vertically sliding sashes, windows havinghorizontally sliding sashes and doors including horizontally slidingsashes such as patio doors. The operating mechanism preferably includestwo open spirals located on opposite sides of the sliding sash. Aparticularly preferred upright window having a sash sliding upwardly anddownwardly includes open spirals on left and right sides of the slidingsash.

Open spirals of the invention are preferably elongated metal stripswound into a helical shape around a longitudinally extending centeraxis. Steel strips having generally rectangular transverse crosssections are particularly preferred. Windings in the preferred spiralsdefine a longitudinally extending succession of substantially equal openspaces between adjacent windings.

The rotator means of the invention powers the open spirals so that theycan slide the sash. The rotator means may be a manually operated crank,an electric motor, or combinations thereof. A particularly preferredoperating mechanism includes both an electric motor and a hand crank.

A window or door made in accordance with the invention includes a frame,a first open spiral, rotator means for rotating the first open spiral, aslidable sash attached to the frame, and coupling means for coupling thesash to the first open spiral.

The frame preferably includes a longitudinally extending first member, asecond member generally parallel to the first member, and additionalframe members connecting the first and second members. In a particularlypreferred double hung window oriented in an upright position, the firstand second members are generally vertically extending jambs and theadditional frame members are a generally horizontal sill and generallyhorizontal header extending between the jambs. The jambs, sill andheader combine to define a generally rectangular window or door opening.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame members are allextruded polymeric lineals. The first and second frame members eachdefine an internal cavity. The sill comprises a floor, a sill cover andside walls defining a gear box containing the rotator means and gearmeans for transmitting power from the rotator means to the spirals. Openspirals are housed within the internal cavities of the first and secondframe members and are journalled into bearings at their upper and lowerends.

A gear means transmits power from the rotator means to the open spirals.A preferred first gear means connected to the first open spiralcomprises a first bevel gear connected to the rotator means; a secondbevel gear connected to the first bevel gear; a rod connected to thesecond bevel gear; a third bevel gear connected to the first rod,lateral of the second bevel gear; and a fourth bevel gear connecting thethird bevel gear and the open spiral. Similarly, a preferred gear meansin an assembly having two open spirals also includes a fifth bevel gearattached to the rod and a sixth bevel gear connecting the fifth bevelgear to the second open spiral. In this preferred embodiment, power istransmitted synchronously from the rotator means to both open spirals.

In a preferred assembly, the first and second frame members are extrudedpolymeric lineals, preferably vinyl (polyvinyl chloride) lineals. Thefirst and second frame members each define an internal recess or cavityhaving a generally rectangular horizontal cross section. The openspirals are smaller than the recesses in which they are situated. Inorder to reduce sideways wobbling or vibration of the open spirals, therecesses are each provided with at least one longitudinally extendingspline or adapter having an external portion attached to the framemember and an internal portion adjacent an open spiral.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more full understanding of the invention can be gained from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is front elevational view of a single hung window embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, fragmentary front elevational view of the windowof FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a schematic, fragmentary cross-sectional view of analternative embodiment of a window embodying the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a double hung window embodyingthe invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front elevational view of an alternativeembodiment of a window made in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a standard single hung window 20 is shown. Thesingle hung window 20 includes a window frame 22 in which a lower windowsash 24 is slidably mounted. An upper window sash 26 is fixed to theframe 22.

The window frame 22 further includes two vertical side jambs 30, 31, aheader 32 and a sill 33 which are joined by conventional methods to formthe rectangular window frame 22 defining a rectangular opening. Framemembers 30, 31, 32, 33 are shown in FIG. 1 as being composed of apolymeric material, preferably vinyl. It will be appreciated that theseframe members can be made of extruded aluminum or wood or combinationsof aluminum, vinyl and wood, such as vinyl clad aluminum.

The window sashes 24 and 26 are of similar construction, so that onlywindow sash 24 is described herein. Window sash 24 comprises a windowsash frame 34 including two vertical stiles 35, 36, a lower rail 37 andan upper rail 38, all of which are joined together at their endportions. A panel of glass 39 is mounted in the window sash frame 34. Aswith the window frame members, the window sash members are shown in FIG.1 as being made of extruded vinyl lineals, although it will beappreciated that the sash members can also be made of aluminum or woodor combinations of aluminum, wood and vinyl.

An embodiment of the operating mechanism 50 of the invention is shown inFIGS. 1-5. Operating mechanism 50 comprises a hand crank 52 which issecured to one end of a rotatable shaft 54, the other end of therotatable shaft 54 having mounted thereon a first bevel gear 56.

The first bevel gear 56 operationally engages a second bevel gear 58wherein rotating the hand crank 52 also rotates the second gear 58. Thesecond bevel gear 58 is secured to a first rod 60 extending laterallyacross the gear box 61 between the jambs 30, 31. The rod 60 is supportedby bearings 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d attached to a wall of the gear box 61.

A third bevel gear 64 is connected to an end of the rod 60, spacedlaterally from the first and second gears 56, 58. The third bevel gear64 meshes with a fourth bevel gear 66 connected to a first open spiral70 extending longitudinally through a side jamb 30. In the preferredwindow shown herein, a second open spiral 71 also extends longitudinallythrough the other side jamb 31. A fifth bevel gear 74 is secured to anend of the rod 60 opposite the third bevel gear 64. The fifth bevel gear74 meshes with a sixth bevel gear 76 connected to a lower end portion ofthe second open spiral 71. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the fourth bevelgear 66 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 78. A lower end 82 of the firstspiral 70 is connected to the shaft 78. The fifth and sixth bevel gears74, 76 are connected in an identical manner to the second spiral 71. Itwill be appreciated that rotation of the crank 52 will rotate the firstbevel gear 56, with power in the turn being transmitted through thesecond gear 58 to the rod 60. The rod 60 then turns the third gear 64and fifth gear 74, which rotate the fourth gear 66 and sixth gear 76,respectively. The fourth gear 66 rotates the first spiral 70, and thesixth gear 76 rotates the second spiral 71. Thus, manual rotation in thehand crank 52 is transmitted through the gear means into simultaneousrotation of the spirals 70, 71.

As shown in FIG. 3, the third gear 64 and fourth gear 66 are provided asa unit, inside a bearing box 83. The shaft 78 is journalled into abearing 84 supported by the bearing box 83. An identical bearing box(not shown in FIG. 3) containing the fifth and sixth gears 74, 76 isalso provided below the second spiral 71.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the rod 60 extends between the third gear 64and the fifth gear 74. The third gear 64 defines a square opening 60'(see FIG. 10) to facilitate engagement with the square rod 60. The fifthgear 74 also defines an identical square opening (not shown) forconnection with the square rod 60.

An advantage of the bearing boxes 63 provided herein is that the rod 60may be cut to any desired length at a construction site. Accordingly,windows and doors provided with the operating mechanism of the inventionare easily retrofitted to fill existing openings of arbitrary size inbuilding walls. Greater flexibility is thereby provided, compared withmost prior art windows and doors.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the first open spiral 70 comprises anelongated, helically wound steel strip having a hollow center or centerarea 85. The spiral 70 includes longitudinally extending loops or coils70a, 70b having open space between them. Open spirals 70, 71 of thepresent invention are lighter in weight than solid screws of the priorart, and they readily accommodate nylon lift blocks 90, 91 in theirhollow centers 85. The lift blocks 90, 91 provide a convenient means forcoupling the open spirals 70, 71 to the sash frame 34, as described ingreater detail below.

In the preferred embodiment described herein, the vertical jambs 30, 31are extruded hollow vinyl lineals. As shown in FIG. 4, the first jamb 30defines a generally rectangular internal recess 94 containing the firstspiral 70. In order to limit sideways movement of the spiral 70 withinits recess 94, two elongated splines or adapters 96, 98 of polymericmaterial are inserted in the recess 94, extending generally parallel tothe spiral 70. Each spline 96, 98 includes an external portion 96a, 98aattached to the jamb 30 and an internal portion 96b, 98b adjacent thespiral 70. The internal portions 96b, 98b have a curvature complementaryto that of the spiral 70.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, there is shown a particularlypreferred coupling means for connecting the spirals 70, 71 to a slidablewindow sash frame 34. The coupling means includes a nylon lift block 90and a pivot bar 100 attached to the sash frame 34. The lift block 90includes a principal portion 102 in the spiral center area 85 and an arm104 extending laterally from the spiral 70. The arm 104 defines anopening 106 extending laterally outward of the spiral 70. The pivot bar100 comprises a bar 108 attached to a stile 35 of the sash frame 34 anda boss 109 inserted in the opening 106.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of detent means or detents 110, 111retains the bar 108 in the opening 106. The detent 110 shown in FIG. 9includes a spring 112, a steel ball 114 having a portion maintained inthe opening 106 by the spring 112, and a set screw 116 adjacent thespring 112 for maintaining the spring 112 and ball 114 in place withinan orifice 118 in the arm 104.

The detents 110, 111 each include steel balls 114 which extend into andnarrow the openings 106, thereby preventing the pivot bars 100 fromslipping out of the openings 106. The window sash 24 may be pivotedinwardly about the pivot bars 100 to facilitate cleaning an exteriorsurface portion of the glass window pane 39. If it is desired to removethe window sash 24, for example to replace a broken glass pane 39, thesash frame is elevated to its highest position by rotating the spirals70, 71. Then, the sash 24 is lifted forcibly upward to flex the springs112 and move the steel balls 114 outwardly from the pivot bars 100,thereby widening the openings 106 sufficiently to allow passage of thepivot bars 100 past the detents 110, 111. The sash 24 is replaced byforcing the pivot bars 100 downwardly with sufficient force to flex thesprings 112, thereby to move the steel balls 114 outwardly and to widenthe openings 106 so that the pivot bars 100 can slide past the detents110, 111.

Operation of a typical window assembly 120 of the invention is shownschematically in FIG. 6. Rotation of the hand crank 52 is transmittedthrough bevel gears 56, 58 to the rod 60 and then to bevel gears 64, 66,74, 76. The fourth bevel gear 66 and sixth bevel gear 76 are connectedto spirals 70, 71. Rotation of the spirals 70, 71 elevates the liftblocks 90, 91 which are connected to a lower rail 37 of the sash frame34. Conversely, rotation of the hand crank 52 will also lower the liftblocks 90, 91 and sash frame 34.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the open spirals70, 71 rotate in opposite directions when the hand crank 52 is turned.Accordingly, the spirals 70, 71 are pitched in opposite directions toassure that the lift blocks 90, 91 are elevated and lowered togetherwhen power is transmitted from the hand crank 52 to the spirals 70, 71.

There is shown in FIG. 10 an alternative embodiment of the operatingmechanism 125 of the present invention housed within a modified gear box130. The operating mechanism 125 includes both a hand crank 52 extendingoutside the box 130 and an electrically operated tube motor 140 housedwithin the box 130. The hand crank 52 and motor 140 provide alternativepower sources which may be connected to the rod 60 at different times.

The gear box 130 shown in FIG. 10 includes a removable lid or cover 145,a bottom wall or floor 150 and side walls 155, 156. Several legs 160extend downwardly from the bottom wall 150, thereby supporting the floor150 above a window ledge 165. Disposition of the bottom wall 150 abovethe ledge 165 is desirable for preventing any accumulation of moisture,thereby prolonging useful life of the motor 140. The lid 145 may beremoved by outwardly flexing a tab 170 retaining the lid 145 in itsposition. Removal of the lid 145 permits access to the electric motor140 and other contents of the box 130 for repair or replacement.

The motorized operating mechanism described above will facilitateopening and closing of window sashes in the so-called "home of thefuture". The "home of the future" or "smart house" concept involvescomputer control of the home environment, including its heating andcooling systems. For example, windows can be automatically opened orclosed at appropriate times to supply desired ventilation in order tosave on energy costs.

The motorized or automatic window can also be used with switches thatallow remote operation. A remote switch can be used, for example, bypersons who do not have enough strength to lift an upwardly-slidablewindow sash. Other features that can be added to the motorized windoware rain and security actuators. A rain actuator can consist of a decalor patch mounted on the outside sill of a window. When rain contacts thedecal, a circuit is formed, which in turn activates the motorized windowto close. In this way, windows close automatically when rain begins tofall.

A security activator operates similarly in that motion detectors cansense when an intruder is near or attempts to enter a house. Thesecurity activator can be tied into the home security system by closingall windows if motion is detected anywhere nearby.

The foregoing objectives are accomplished with the operating mechanism125 shown schematically in FIG. 10. An electric signal generator 180comprising either a timer, motion detector or rain sensor is connectedby a wire 182 to an activator 185 associated with the motor 140. Thesignal generator 180 emits an electric signal in response to a circuitformed in the time, motion detector or rain sensor. This signal iscarried through the wire 182 to the activator 185 and motor 140.Accordingly, a window sash (not shown) connected with the motor 140 iseither opened or closed, depending upon the signal emitted by thegenerator 180.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a double hung window 200 is shown in whichboth an upper sash 202 and a lower sash 204 are slidable in a windowframe 206, using an alternative operating mechanism 208. The sashes 202,204 and window frame 206 are constructed similarly to and made from thesame materials as the window sashes and window frames shown in FIGS. 1-5and 7-9 except for the provision of a pair of additional open spirals210, 211 which are operatively engaged with the upper sash 202.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the operating mechanism 208 includes areciprocating hand crank 240 having a handle end 242 and a bevel gearengagement end 244 opposite the handle end 242. The bevel gearengagement end 244 has gear teeth 246 on its outer circumferentialsurface which are complementary to teeth on a bevel gear 250 attached toa first rod 252. Rotating the crank 240 when it is in this firstposition transmits power through the first rod 252 to bevel gears 254,256 at opposed ends of the rod 252 and then to the open spirals 70, 71associated with the lower sash 204. The lower sash 204 is thereby raisedor lowered in response to rotation of the crank 240.

When it is desired to move the upper sash 202 in the window frame 206,the bevel gear engagement end 244 is pushed out of engagement with thebevel gear 250 attached to the first rod 252 and into engagement withanother bevel gear 260 attached to a second rod 262. Rotating the crank240 in this second position transmits power through the second rod 262to bevel gears 264, 266 at opposed ends of the rod 262 and then to upperopen spirals 210, 211 associated with the upper sash 202. The upper sash202 is thereby raised or lowered in response to rotation of the crank240.

An alternative window assembly 270 including an operating mechanism 271of the invention is shown in FIG. 13. The window assembly 270 includes awindow sash 272, a first open spiral 274 supported between an upperbearing 275 and a lower bearing 276 and a second open spiral 278supported between an upper bearing 279 and a lower bearing 280. Thefirst open spiral 274 engages a first lift block 285, and the secondopen spiral 278 engages a second lift block 286. Pivot bars 287, 288extending from the lift blocks 285, 286 connect the open spirals 274,278 with the sash 272, all as described above.

The alternative operating mechanism 271 of FIG. 13 includes a hand crank290 attached to a first bevel gear 291. The first bevel gear 291 engagesa second bevel gear 292 associated with belt sprockets 293, 294. A firstflexible belt or timing belt 295 extends between the first belt sprocket293 and the lower bearing 276 connected with the first open spiral 274.A second flexible belt 297 extends between the second belt sprocket 294and the lower bearing 280 connected with the second open spiral 278.

Rotating the hand crank 291 causes rotation in the first bevel gear 292and belt sprockets 293, 294. Power is then transmitted through the twobelts 295, 296 to lower beatings 276, 280 connected with the openspirals 274, 278. Rotating the open spirals 274, 278 in turn elevatesthe lift blocks 285, 286, thereby raising the window sash 272. It willbe appreciated that rotating the crank 291 in an opposite directionlowers the sash 272.

Numerous changes and modifications may be included in the particularlypreferred embodiments described above without departing from the spiritof the invention. For example, the double hung window assembly of FIGS.11 and 12 may contain only two open spirals rather than four. In thisalternative embodiment, each open spiral includes coils pitched in afirst direction adjacent the lower sash and pitched in an oppositedirection adjacent the upper sash. For example, a lower portion of theleft spiral may have a left-hand pitch and an upper portion of thatspiral may have a right-hand pitch. In the right spiral, a lower portionadjacent the lower sash will have a right-hand pitch and an upperportion adjacent the upper sash will have a left-hand pitch. Rotatingthe open spirals will thereby lower the upper sash when the lower sashis raised to an open position. Similarly, the spirals will lower thelower sash toward a closed position when the upper sash is elevatedtoward its closed position.

It is therefore seen that this invention provides an operating mechanismthat is operatively associated with a window or door sash slidablymounted in a frame. While some alternative modes for practicing theinvention have been described, the appended claims are intended to coverall modes and embodiments which fall within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An operating mechanism for sliding a window ordoor sash comprising:(a) an open spiral sized for confinement within aframe member, said open spiral having a hollow, longitudinally extendingopen center; (b) rotator means for rotating said open spiral around saidopen center; and (c) coupling means for coupling said open spiral to awindow or door sash, said sash sliding longitudinally in response torotation of said open spiral, said coupling means comprising:(i) a liftblock disposed in said center and an arm extending outside said center,said arm defining an opening extending outward of said open spiral; and(ii) a pivot bar including a boss inserted in said opening and a barextending outward thereof.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said openspiral comprises an elongated, generally helical metal strip.
 3. Themechanism of claim 1 wherein said open spiral includes a plurality ofloops having a longitudinally extending succession of open spacesbetween adjacent loops.
 4. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said openspiral comprises a steel strip.
 5. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein saidrotator means comprises at least one of a manually rotatable crank andan electric motor.
 6. A window or door having a sliding sash andcomprising:(a) a frame comprising a longitudinally extending firstmember and a second member generally parallel to said first member; (b)a first open spiral associated with said first member, said first openspiral having a longitudinally extending hollow center; (c) rotatormeans for rotating said first open spiral around said hollow center; (d)a slidable window or door sash attached to said frame; and (e) firstcoupling means for connecting said sash to said first open spiral, saidsash sliding longitudinally responsive to rotation by said first openspiral, said first coupling means comprising:(i) a lift block disposedin said center and an arm extending outside said center, said armdefining an opening extending outward of said first open spiral; and(ii) a pivot bar including a bar attached to said sash and a bossinserted in said opening, said sash being pivotable about said pivot barto facilitate cleaning said sash.
 7. The window or door of claim 6further comprising:(f) first gear means for converting rotation by saidrotator means into rotation by said first open spiral.
 8. The window ordoor of claim 7 wherein said first gear means comprises:(i) a firstbevel gear connected to said rotator means; (ii) a second bevel gearconnected to said first bevel gear; (iii) a first rod connected to saidsecond bevel gear and extending laterally thereof; (iv) a third bevelgear connected to said first rod laterally of said second bevel gear;and (v) a fourth bevel gear connecting said third bevel gear and saidopen spiral whereby rotation by said rotator means rotates said firstopen spiral.
 9. The window or door of claim 6 further comprising:(f') asecond open spiral associated with said second member, said second openspiral having a longitudinally extending hollow center; and (g') secondcoupling means for coupling said sash to said second open spiral, andwherein said rotator means includes means for rotating said second openspiral around its hollow center.
 10. The window or door of claim 9further comprising:(h') second gear means for converting rotation bysaid rotator means into rotation by said second open spiral.
 11. Thewindow or door of claim 6 wherein said first member defines an internalrecess containing said first open spiral and further comprising:(i') aspline in said recess for limiting movement of said first open spiral,said spline comprising an external portion attached to said first memberand an internal portion adjacent said first open spiral.
 12. The windowor door of claim 11 wherein said first member comprises an extrudedpolymeric lineal.
 13. The window or door of claim 6 wherein said firstcoupling means further comprises:(iii) detent means for releasablydetaining said pivot bar in said lift block opening.
 14. A sliding sashwindow comprising:(a) a frame comprising generally vertical first andsecond jambs connected to a sill and a header; (b) first and second openspirals confined within respective said first and second jambs, eachsaid open spirals comprising a helically wound metal strip surrounding ahollow, vertically extending center area; (c) a window sash connected tosaid frame; (d) coupling means connecting said sash to said openspirals, said window sash sliding upwardly or downwardly responsive torotation by said open spirals, said coupling means comprising first andsecond lift blocks each having a portion disposed in said center areaand an arm extending outward thereof, said arm being connected to apivot bar attached to said window sash; (e) rotator means for rotatingsaid first and second open spirals around their center areas, saidrotator means being selected from the group consisting of a hand crank,an electric motor and combinations thereof; and (f) gear means fortransmitting power from said rotator means to said first and second openspirals.
 15. The window of claim 14 wherein said rotator means comprisesan electric motor and further comprising:(g) a timer, motion detector orrain sensor connected with said electric motor; and (h) an activator foractivating said electric motor in response to a signal from said timer,motion detector or rain sensor.
 16. The window of claim 14 wherein saidsill comprises:(i) a floor, a sill cover and side walls defining a boxcontaining said rotator means and said gear means; and (ii) at least oneleg for elevating said box above a ledge, said leg extending downwardlyfrom said floor.
 17. The window of claim 16 wherein said floor and saidsill cover each comprise a polymeric extrusion.
 18. An apparatus foropening and closing a window or door having at least one sash supportedin a frame, said apparatus comprising:(a) at least two spirals disposedlaterally of said sash, each said spirals comprising spaced apart coilssurrounding an open center; (b) coupling means comprising at least twolift blocks slidably disposed in the open center of said spirals and anarm extending outside said center and a pivot bar connecting said armwith said sash; and (c) means for rotating each said spirals, thereby toslide said coupling means longitudinally and to move said sash in itsframe.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said open spiral comprisesan elongated, generally helical steel strip including a plurality ofloops and a succession of open spaces between adjacent loops.